Creeping Mahonia

zaphod42August 23, 2013

I am unfamiliar with this plant, but am intrigued by possibility. Is it more shrub or groundcover? Fast or slow growing? Any significant downsides? Is it fruiting? Poisonous? Edible? Good for wildlife? Overall attractiveness?

Suggestions for what plants go with it? How do grasses look with it? Thanks!

It is a groundcover in that it is low growing and has a spreading, creeping growth habit. But not always a very dense or full coverage. Very closely related to our native Oregon grape, Mahonia nervosa, which gets about twice the height but with a similar spreading/suckering habit. Both are very tolerant of dry, shady conditions and like many dry shade plants, can grow rather quickly and robustly if given rich soil and plenty of water.

Yellow spring flowers followed by purple berries (the "grape" part of the name) that are edible but very bitter tasting - best cooked with a LOT of sugar as a jam :-) Can develop leaf spot, rust and burn if in too much sun. Foliage often turns a burnished color in cold weather.